UNPol in East Timor Security Briefing 25 January 2007

The personnel number of UNPOL has reached a total of 1,311 officers coming from different countries. On the 30th January 2007, UNPOL is planning the deployment of 76 UN Police officers into all Districts of Timor-Leste. These officers will undertake all Police duties, accomplishing the primary mandate of the UNPOL in the "restoration and maintenance of public security in the country through the provision of support to the PNTL, which includes interim law enforcement and public security until PNTL is reconstituted".

During the past several days we have experienced a significant upsurge in violent activity across Dili and the violence has been gang-related.On 24 January 2007, in the evening, a staff member of STAE was assaulted by four male subjects at the Electoral Office at Mascarinas. Police unit responded and managed to arrest one of the subjects, a 24-year old male who was also found in possession of offensive weapons namely metal balls, several pieces of iron bars and

glass balls.

In relation to the five (5) murder cases that occurred in Dili for the month of January 2007, UNPOL investigators collected new information and also identified several suspects. Arrest warrants were issued and arrest will be expected soon.

When people feel that they are under threat, they are not to hesitate to request assistance through UNPOL National operations Centre: 112 or 7230365. UNPOL are quickly on the scene, and upon their arrival the troublemakers responsible for the disturbance usually quickly disperse.

This has been a daily broadcast of the UN Police in Timor-Leste, for the people of Timor-Leste